The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of less frequent dosing of PROCRIT (Epoetin alfa) in patients with anemia due to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) as assessed by hemoglobin maintenance, adverse events and health-related quality of life.

The primary efficacy variable is hemoglobin maintenance. Also, patients will be assessed for incidence and severity of adverse events and vital signs (blood pressure) during the 16 week study period.

Secondary Outcome Measures:

The secondary variable is Quality of Life and Hemoglobin Change over Time

Enrollment:

519

Study Start Date:

January 2002

Study Completion Date:

January 2004

Detailed Description:

Epoetin alfa has been widely utilized as treatment for anemia associated with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Epoetin alfa has been shown to increase hemoglobin (Hb) levels by an average of 1.5 g/dL to 2 g/dL in these patients over 12 weeks (Data on file Ortho Biotech Products, L.P.). This improvement in Hb levels is maintained while the patient is receiving Epoetin alfa and is associated with significant improvements in survival, exercise tolerance, and quality of life. Literature has suggested that epoetin alfa can be given less frequently and still maintain an optimal hemoglobin while also allowing patient's greater convenience. This study will further confirm that less frequent dosing of epoetin alfa is safe and effective. This is an open-label, randomized multicenter study in patients with CKD. CKD patients who are currently receiving PROCRIT therapy for at least 2 months or more and with a stable Hb (>= 11g/dL) will be randomized to one of four treatment groups. A stable Hemoglobin will be defined as a value that is ± 10% for 3 consecutive laboratory values.

This study is designed to demonstrate that there is no meaningful difference in hemoglobin level with more extended dosing regimens as compared to once weekly. A clinically meaningful difference is defined as a difference that is less than 10%. Patients will be randomized to one of 4 treatment groups: All will receive subcutaneous (under the skin) Epoetin alfa for a period of 16 weeks.

Group 1: 10,000 units every week Group 2: 20,000 units every two weeks Group 3: 30,000 units every three weeks Group 4: 40,000 units every four weeks

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years and older

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

CKD patients (defined as serum creatinine 1.5 to 6.0 mg/dL for women and 2.0 to 6.0 g/mg/dL for men)

Stable Hb (>= 11.0g/dL) and currently receiving PROCRIT therapy for 2 months or more. A stable Hemoglobin will be defined as a value that is ± 10% for 3 consecutive laboratory values.

Exclusion Criteria:

Lactating or pregnant women

Uncontrolled hypertension

Known hypersensitivity to mammalian cell-derived products and human albumin

Receiving dialysis or scheduled to receive dialysis during the course of the study

gastrointestinal bleeding

Severe Congestive Heart Failure (New York Heart Association Class IV)

Concurrent chemotherapy for cancer

History of/or active blood disorders, liver diseases or seizures

HIV positive

Received a kidney transplant

Contacts and Locations

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To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00307814